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Yarn Craft Ideas While Staying In

Today’s blog post is a list of ideas for when we are stuck inside.  From trying a new skill, to crafting with the kids, here are a few ideas to help keep you and your kiddos occupied. 

We’ve got our yarn, now what do we do with it? ( This is my little “Ruby” )

Last week I sent out an email and received an amazing response from readers all over the world who are making the most of their time at home. Many of you let me know what kind of projects you’re looking for during this time.  With the pandemic becoming more and more widespread, many of us are trying to stay hopeful, happy and well…..sane. 😉 Below, I’ve compiled several of your suggestions as well as some of the things I’m doing during this time.

1. Learn A New Stitch

It’s always fun to learn something new, and why not add to our stitch knowledge during this time! I like to get on YouTube and do a basic search on crochet or knitting stitches.  Find something that you like (and can follow, haha!) and hop top it.   Here are a few of my favorite newbie crochet stitches:

Crochet Blanket Stitch Video Tutorial on YouTube HERE

Crochet Spider Stitch Video Tutorial on YouTube HERE

Love, love, love the Spider Stitch (pictured above)
The Blanket Stitch is a go-to pattern for me

You can also browse all of my Tutorials Available HERE

 2. Stash Busting Project

Many of us can’t go out and this means no yarn shopping (we can still order online, of course).  Also, with so many unknowns, many don’t want to be spending money if they don’t have to. Enter – your yarn stash. Some great stash buster projects include blankets, baskets, dishcloths (with cotton), hats, scarves and more.  A few good stash buster patterns from the blog include:

Native Stripes Knit Blanket Pattern (HERE)

All The Colors Ruana Crochet Pattern (HERE)

Best Ever Modern Hot Pad Crochet Pattern(HERE)

Sunshine Knit Dishcloth Knitting Pattern (HERE)

Consider using up your stash! You can make some pretty, colorful projects with the yarn you have on hand. Pictured is the All The Colors Ruana Crochet Pattern.

3. Kids Finger Knitting

Make a project with the loop yarns that are available! I used Crayola Off The Hook from Lion Brand HERE. It’s easy enough for kiddos and it can introduce them to the world of yarn.  With just a couple of skeins, you can make a little “blanket (like really little – maybe 15″ x 15” or so) for a stuffed animal.  You could also stuff a couple of squares and sew the edges together to make a little pillow for a doll or stuffed animal. Several of you asked me about projects for your babes. I hear ya – the struggle is real with them being home from school so much now!

Full Video Tutorial HERE – How To Finger Knit with Loop Yarn and make a Rainbow Blanket (this tutorial shows you a full blanket, but you can use the same concept to make your tiny doll blanket or pillow)

Pattern for Kids Loop Yarn Rainbow Blanket Project – for older kiddos with a longer attention span, try a full size blanket!

Get your babies to finger knit with loop yarn!

4. Learn To Knit or Crochet

If you crochet, why not tackle learning to knit? Or if you knit, why not learn to crochet? There are so many great tutorials that you can find by doing a simple search.  I made a YouTube video with crocheters in mind on “How To Knit” here.  It uses the continental style of knitting. This method comes more naturally with muscle memory if you’ve already been crocheting.

How To Knit if you Crochet – full blog post with video tutorial HERE

Try out a different yarn craft! Learn to knit if you crochet.

5. Sew Face Masks or crafts

Many of us yarn folk like a variety of crafts.  At the moment, there are several medical facilities in my city now accepting hand-sewn face masks due to the worldwide shortage. Why not get out our sewing machines and help our nurses, doctors and healthcare workers during this hard time.  Here is my favorite video tutorial on how to sew a mask, which was shared by a medical facility needing masks (note they have received more than they need now, but check with your local facilities):

VIDEO TUTORIAL on YouTube on How To Sew A Face Mask

See the full article which discusses the CDC guidelines and suggested materials HERE

I also want to share my personal favorite thing to sew. Corn Sacks.  We use them ALL THE TIME in my house for warmth, comfort or pain relief. You can heat them in the microwave and they give off a natural warmth. While I use corn, you can also use rice (which is probably easier to buy at this time).  Do be careful to not overheat or cause burns.

How To Sew Microwavable Heating Pad Corn (or rice) Sacks HERE

These microwavable heating pads get used all the time in my house! They are so easy to sew.

6. Try A Brand New Craft

There are so many art forms out there.  Many Etsy shops are still up and running and you can find kits for just about any craft. Why not try cross stitch, needle point or just coloring?! With YouTube at our finger tips, there is almost an endless amount of crafting and creativity out there.

What are you crafting or doing with your time at home?

 

 I’d love to hear more ideas or suggestions in the comments below!

Feel free to follow along with me on Facebook & Instagram as we channel our creative energies during this stressful time with the virus. You are in my thoughts and prayers as we go through this together.

XO,

Jessica

Yarn Craft Ideas While Staying In

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15 Comments

  1. Hi, I’m using oddments of yarn from my stash to make dolls clothes for my 3 year old granddaughter – using premature baby patterns or sizes for newborns.
    Currently we are in lockdown in the UK for 3 weeks.
    Thanks for your lovely friendly emails/blogs. Stay safe.
    Anne
    Nottingham

  2. I’m in the Black Hills of South Dakota. I’m finishing a bulky afghan for a graduation present, and I am behind on a KAL…..so am trying to catch up. I also knitted 4 bulky yarn pillow covers and need to get them sewn up for gifts. I knit scarves for charity at times, too. Thank you for all of your ideas and help….stay well.
    BHknitter

  3. Hi Jessica!
    Thank you so much for sharing this summer shrug video tutorial! Is there a way for me to save it so I have it for future reference? It’s such a pretty shrug! I know I can’t make it right now because I have too much going on but when things quiet down, I would so much love to go back to your tutorial! I hope you’re having a great day and staying healthy! We(I) need you and your beautiful inspirations you so kindly share!

    Best wishes,
    Diana Stevens
    dianastevens48@gmail.com

    P.S. All I have is my email, no website!

    1. Hi Diana,

      Being a fellow crocheter I typically love all of her patters, and what I do is save the website link to a document I keep on my phone or laptop. I add text to remind myself what the pattern is for or ideas about who I’d make it for etc. it’s great to go back to once I’m ready to order materials 😉

      God bless,
      Gwyneth Kramer

  4. Thank you for the great ideas Jessica! I recently took up knitting (crocheter for 40+ yrs) b/c there are so many beautiful patterns out there, and it did come much more quickly than I thought. If you have some time to devote to it (I became fairly proficient with a few swatches of combinations of knit & purl sts), over a couple nights on a weekend. Tension was my biggest hurdle holding 2 needles. Also, tried both aluminum and bamboo needles. The bamboo was very helpful at first so stitches didn’t slide off. Thank you Jessica for providing such beautiful inspiration and patterns!

  5. Hi! I’m an out of work computer lab teacher at a closed elementary school. Spent this entire morning re-organizing all of my knitting supplies and then came up with the idea to create a chart in a google doc (much like I would teach my kiddos at school to organize information). Maybe your kids could help you do this? I am loving knowing just how many needles I have for future projects, which size, etc. Never had this kind of time so thankful for the chance to finally get this done.
    *Keep those great project ideas coming, Jessica! Take care and be healthy……all of you out there in knitting land.

  6. You are my go-to easy (and encouraging) knitting designer, Jessica! Thank you for your generosity in sharing your talent! God bless you and yours- and ALL of us, especially at this time of trial! Peace, Maggie In Milwaukee

  7. Hi Jess! Thank you for all ideas. I’m in Stockholm, Sweden, selfisolating but allowed to go out for a walk or grocery shopping. My partner is 70+, so he’s recommended to stay home.
    We are on our phones and Ipads for most of the time.
    I’ve decided to start learning a new language. At the same time, I’m crocheting or knitting. This keeps my brain and hands busy.
    Mila

  8. Thank you for thinking of us.
    >>>>>Another Idea: When I taught fourth grade, we did an assembly line activity of cutting, sewing, filling >eye pillows< for a local charity. We chose one for abused women and children. When they arrived each adult and child were given a pillow. The pillow had rice and numerous herbs inside. The students' parents helped with sewing, etc.
    One of the parents encountered a family who received the pillows.

    This was after we had given classroom parents a pillow for Christmas. Families shared them. Proud students and teacher,

  9. I decided to knit a sort of maxi cardigan with some yarn i bought last year because it was half the price. But the yarn is thin, needles are n3,5, and i ve got 261 stitches on each row. Well, if i knit 1 cm per day, seems i’ll need more than a quarentaine , because i must reach 72cm and done just 14…hahaha…but in the mean time, i did 2 knitted easter eggs and a head band, quicky quicky. Everything with my old yarn wardrobe smelling. (Sometimes i undo pieces to reuse the yarn.)

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